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  • Thread starter Watson A.Name - \"Watt Su
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Watson A.Name - \"Watt Su

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I left one of my projects in my pants pocket and it got washed in the
washing machine. The circuit spun dry okay, but I'm concerned about
the submini toggle switch. It still works reasonably well now. But
since it's mechanical, and water got into it, it might fail later.
Seems that many of the parts are made of brass, which doesn't rust or
corrode like iron. But I figure that most of any lubrication that was
there in the switch before got washed out. Should I drop a teeny bit of
oil into the povot point? Or shuld I leave it alone? Oil might get on
the contacts if I use too much, or is that not a concern?



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changed it: http://physics.nist.gov/cuu/Units/binary.html
@@t@h@e@@a@f@f@l@u@e@n@t@@m@e@e@t@@t@h@e@@E@f@f@l@u@e@n@t@@
 
"Watson A.Name - "Watt Sun, the Dark Remover"" <NOSPAM@dslextreme.com> wrote
in message news:109herqfhnb77c@corp.supernews.com...
I left one of my projects in my pants pocket and it got washed in the
washing machine. The circuit spun dry okay, but I'm concerned about
the submini toggle switch. It still works reasonably well now. But
since it's mechanical, and water got into it, it might fail later.
Seems that many of the parts are made of brass, which doesn't rust or
corrode like iron. But I figure that most of any lubrication that was
there in the switch before got washed out. Should I drop a teeny bit of
oil into the povot point? Or shuld I leave it alone? Oil might get on
the contacts if I use too much, or is that not a concern?
Click to expand...


If you have to spend more than a minute of your time worrying about a 50
cent part, it's just as well to replace it now.
 
"Jim Thompson" <thegreatone@example.com> wrote in message
news:4l2i90doci3941tr2tgr8k932ui7on86n6@4ax.com...
On Wed, 5 May 2004 03:05:17 -0700, "Watson A.Name - \"Watt Sun, the
Dark Remover\"" <NOSPAM@dslextreme.com> wrote:

I left one of my projects in my pants pocket and it got washed in the
washing machine. The circuit spun dry okay, but I'm concerned about
the submini toggle switch. It still works reasonably well now. But
since it's mechanical, and water got into it, it might fail later.
Seems that many of the parts are made of brass, which doesn't rust or
corrode like iron. But I figure that most of any lubrication that was
there in the switch before got washed out. Should I drop a teeny bit
of
oil into the povot point? Or shuld I leave it alone? Oil might get on
the contacts if I use too much, or is that not a concern?

Dunk the whole thing in Denatured Alcohol and set aside to dry.
Click to expand...
I think I would remove it from the alcohol first and give it a shake
though.

I'll get me coat...!

--
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Dorset UK Astro Society's Web pages, Info, Meeting Dates, Sites & Maps
Change 'news' to 'sewn' in my Reply address to avoid my spam filter.
 
"Jim Thompson" <thegreatone@example.com> wrote in message
news:4l2i90doci3941tr2tgr8k932ui7on86n6@4ax.com...
Dunk the whole thing in Denatured Alcohol and set aside to dry.
Click to expand...
After which, I generally recommend dunking the designer in
ethanol and setting HIM aside to dry, too....:)

Bob M.
 
Eh, either a Labatts or Fosters will work, Eh.
"Bob Myers" <nospamplease@address.invalid> wrote in message
news:W9bmc.932$xT2.925@news.cpqcorp.net...
"Jim Thompson" <thegreatone@example.com> wrote in message
news:4l2i90doci3941tr2tgr8k932ui7on86n6@4ax.com...
Dunk the whole thing in Denatured Alcohol and set aside to dry.

After which, I generally recommend dunking the designer in
ethanol and setting HIM aside to dry, too....:)

Bob M.
Click to expand...
 
"Bob Myers" <nospamplease@address.invalid> schreef in bericht
news:W9bmc.932$xT2.925@news.cpqcorp.net...
"Jim Thompson" <thegreatone@example.com> wrote in message
news:4l2i90doci3941tr2tgr8k932ui7on86n6@4ax.com...
Dunk the whole thing in Denatured Alcohol and set aside to dry.

After which, I generally recommend dunking the designer in
ethanol and setting HIM aside to dry, too....:)

Bob M.
Click to expand...
A toggle switch next to a rotating designer :)

petrus


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I had a job once where I actually washed circuit boards by hand in a
solution of water and "simple green" detergent. After a thorough rinsing,
they then went into a 120 degree oven for forty minutes. Then we sold
them.... I figure, that's about the same treatment your switch got in the
washer and then dryer. If it still works, don't worry about it.


"Watson A.Name - "Watt Sun, the Dark Remover"" <NOSPAM@dslextreme.com> wrote
in message news:109herqfhnb77c@corp.supernews.com...
I left one of my projects in my pants pocket and it got washed in the
washing machine. The circuit spun dry okay, but I'm concerned about
the submini toggle switch. It still works reasonably well now. But
since it's mechanical, and water got into it, it might fail later.
Seems that many of the parts are made of brass, which doesn't rust or
corrode like iron. But I figure that most of any lubrication that was
there in the switch before got washed out. Should I drop a teeny bit of
oil into the povot point? Or shuld I leave it alone? Oil might get on
the contacts if I use too much, or is that not a concern?



--
@@F@r@o@m@@O@r@a@n@g@e@@C@o@u@n@t@y@,@@C@a@l@,@@w@h@e@r@e@@
###Got a Question about ELECTRONICS? Check HERE First:###
http://users.pandora.be/educypedia/electronics/databank.htm
My email address is whitelisted. *All* email sent to it
goes directly to the trash unless you add NOSPAM in the
Subject: line with other stuff. alondra101 <at> hotmail.com
Don't be ripped off by the big book dealers. Go to the URL
that will give you a choice and save you money(up to half).
http://www.everybookstore.com You'll be glad you did!
Just when you thought you had all this figured out, the gov't
changed it: http://physics.nist.gov/cuu/Units/binary.html
@@t@h@e@@a@f@f@l@u@e@n@t@@m@e@e@t@@t@h@e@@E@f@f@l@u@e@n@t@@
Click to expand...
 
Garrett Mace wrote:

"Watson A.Name - "Watt Sun, the Dark Remover"" <NOSPAM@dslextreme.com> wrote
in message news:109herqfhnb77c@corp.supernews.com...

I left one of my projects in my pants pocket and it got washed in the
washing machine. The circuit spun dry okay, but I'm concerned about
the submini toggle switch. It still works reasonably well now. But
since it's mechanical, and water got into it, it might fail later.
Seems that many of the parts are made of brass, which doesn't rust or
corrode like iron. But I figure that most of any lubrication that was
there in the switch before got washed out. Should I drop a teeny bit of
oil into the povot point? Or shuld I leave it alone? Oil might get on
the contacts if I use too much, or is that not a concern?
Click to expand...

If you have to spend more than a minute of your time worrying about a 50
cent part, it's just as well to replace it now.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the volt - er, I mean, vote of confidence.... :-(

Yeah, I can replace it easily, once I melt all the hot glue out of the
corner so I can get to it. But I'm just trying to size up the situation
with what might happen in the future, not only with this switch, but
with switches in other equipment as well. If you're unwilling to
contribute to the collective experiences of the newsgroup, you're welcome.

Oh, by the way. I was lucky and got a bunch of these switches for under
a buck. Much cheaper than the 3 or 4 bucks that rat shack usually
charges for a switch of this type..
 
Jim Thompson wrote:

On Wed, 5 May 2004 03:05:17 -0700, "Watson A.Name - \"Watt Sun, the
Dark Remover\"" <NOSPAM@dslextreme.com> wrote:


I left one of my projects in my pants pocket and it got washed in the
washing machine. The circuit spun dry okay, but I'm concerned about
the submini toggle switch. It still works reasonably well now. But
since it's mechanical, and water got into it, it might fail later.
Seems that many of the parts are made of brass, which doesn't rust or
corrode like iron. But I figure that most of any lubrication that was
there in the switch before got washed out. Should I drop a teeny bit of
oil into the povot point? Or shuld I leave it alone? Oil might get on
the contacts if I use too much, or is that not a concern?


Dunk the whole thing in Denatured Alcohol and set aside to dry.
Click to expand...
The alcohol soaks up any remaining water, I presume. I'd guess that the
water will eventually evaporate. But then, some alcohol is 30 percent
water? Like 70 percent denatured, most of the remaining being water.
So I'd guess it's a better idea to use 99 percent denatured. But what
about lubrication? Will the alcohol help redistribute the remaining oil
or grease?

Long ago, I worked in a test equipment manufacturing facility, and we
used some freon based board cleaner in the machine. Well, on a Monday
morning they changed over to some supposedly envronmentally friendlier
board cleaner, and I walked into the door, and my eyes started watering.
Well, the first batch of boards that week came thru with the plastic
switch buttons beginning to turn to mush, it was melting the plastic.
Needless to say, we quickly switched back to the old stuff!

> ...Jim Thompson
 
Thanks for the volt - er, I mean, vote of confidence.... :-(

Yeah, I can replace it easily, once I melt all the hot glue out of the
corner so I can get to it. But I'm just trying to size up the situation
with what might happen in the future, not only with this switch, but
with switches in other equipment as well. If you're unwilling to
contribute to the collective experiences of the newsgroup, you're welcome.

Oh, by the way. I was lucky and got a bunch of these switches for under
a buck. Much cheaper than the 3 or 4 bucks that rat shack usually
charges for a switch of this type..
Click to expand...

Well, I was commenting on the specific situation with this switch, not the
repercussions of water damage for all Switchkind. I am pretty much in the
absorption phase of experience rather than the contributing phase, but in my
limited experience, switches that weren't designed to be waterproof are
often a little wonky after being subjected to water.

If the rest of the container is waterproofed, it might be possible to glue
down a square of bike inner tube rubber over a pushbutton switch. I don't
see waterproofing a toggle switch without some kind of special boot.
 
Garrett Mace wrote:

Thanks for the volt - er, I mean, vote of confidence.... :-(

Yeah, I can replace it easily, once I melt all the hot glue out of the
corner so I can get to it. But I'm just trying to size up the situation
with what might happen in the future, not only with this switch, but
with switches in other equipment as well. If you're unwilling to
contribute to the collective experiences of the newsgroup, you're welcome.

Oh, by the way. I was lucky and got a bunch of these switches for under
a buck. Much cheaper than the 3 or 4 bucks that rat shack usually
charges for a switch of this type..
Click to expand...


Well, I was commenting on the specific situation with this switch, not the
repercussions of water damage for all Switchkind. I am pretty much in the
absorption phase of experience rather than the contributing phase, but in my
limited experience, switches that weren't designed to be waterproof are
often a little wonky after being subjected to water.

If the rest of the container is waterproofed, it might be possible to glue
down a square of bike inner tube rubber over a pushbutton switch. I don't
see waterproofing a toggle switch without some kind of special boot.
Click to expand...
http://www.electronicsplaza101.com/electronics/search/res/r2985230.html
 
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